"A rich history of what makes us tick, so to speak, paired with fascinating modern discoveries about how circadian rhythms influence our daily lives" —The Wall Street Journal

How the groundbreaking science of circadian rhythms can help you sleep better, feel happier, and improve your overall health

Your body contains a symphony of tiny timepieces, synchronized to the sun and subtle signals in your environment and behavior. But modern insults like artificial light, contrived time zones, and late-night meals can wreak havoc on your internal clocks.

Armed with advances in biology and technology, a circadian renaissance is reclaiming those lost rhythms. The Inner Clock explores the emerging science and its transformative applications: How could taking a walk in the morning and going to bed at the same time each night keep your body  in sync? Why are some doctors prescribing treatments at specific times of day? And how might a better understanding of our circadian rhythms improve educational outcomes, optimize sports performance, and support the longevity of our planet?

Science journalist Lynne Peeples seeks out the scientists, astronauts, athletes, and patients at the forefront of a growing movement. Along the way, she sleeps in a Cold War-era bunker, chases the midnight sun, spits into test tubes, and wears high-tech light sensors to decipher what makes our internal clocks tick and how we can reset them for the better.

"A rich history of what makes us tick, so to speak, paired with fascinating modern discoveries about how circadian rhythms influence our daily lives" —The Wall Street Journal

"The definitive take on what scientists currently know about how the circadian system works, how it’s disrupted by the ways we live now, and what we should do about it." —Alex Hutchinson, Outside

"Edifying. . . . This enlightens." —Publishers Weekly

"An immensely informative and fascinating account." —Psychology Today

“I stayed up all night reading this book! Lynne Peeples, you have wrecked my circadian rhythms, and I enjoyed every minute.”  —Mary Roach, bestselling author of Fuzz and Stiff

“The Inner Clock explores the strange new science of why your circadian rhythms fall out of sync—and how to get them back on track to live a happier, healthier life.” —James Nestor, bestselling author of Breath

"A fascinating journey through the science of circadian rhythms, revealing how our bodies’ tiny timepieces shape every aspect of our lives. Captivating, perceptive, and, yes, timely.” —Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of When

“The Inner Clock paints an intricate picture of the ways our physiology evolved to function in harmony with the rhythms of the world around us.” —James Hamblin, author of Clean and If Our Bodies Could Talk

“A captivating exploration of light and dark, our peculiar biology, and the powerful, invisible rhythms of our waking and sleeping lives.” —Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-prize winning author of The Poison Squad

“You may not realize it until you read this smart, lucid book, but your body clocks are ticked off. Fortunately, it's not too late for a reset. An essential guide to a fascinating and underappreciated aspect of human biology.”  —Dan Fagin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Toms River